In the process of exploring the current status of manufacturing technology, presenters at the recent ARC Forum highlighted a number missing links: specific products, software and standards we need for industry to fully benefit from smart devices, pervasive sensing and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Perhaps the most specific was Sandy Vasser, facilities I&E manager, ExxonMobil Development Co., who exhorts his group to "challenge traditional approaches" for engineering and constructing automation projects. The group's vision would eliminate marshalling cabinets, field programming and acceptance tests by automating device detection, identification, configuration, enablement and documentation, a strategy he calls DICED.